Michelle Trachtenberg’s cause of death revealed to be diabetes complications

Michelle Trachtenberg's cause of death has been confirmed to have been due to complications involving diabetes.

The news comes as a shock as it was previously thought that the actor's death, aged just 39, would remain a mystery due to the fact that Trachtenberg's family had rejected an autopsy on medical grounds.

As her death was considered to have occurred due to natural causes and not as a result of foul play or criminality, Deadline reports, this decision was not overturned by the medical examiner, who instead performed an external examination and lab testing.

It was today, however, confirmed to ABC News and People Magazine that Trachtenberg's death was due to complications with diabetes mellitus, with the manner of death being rule as natural.

This was confirmed due to toxicology test results.

The actor died at just 39 (Randy Shropshire via Getty Images)

Trachtenberg's death came as a shock, leading to an outpouring of love and grief from fans around the world.

The actor, best known for her roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl first became well known for her role on Nickelodeon show The Adventures of Pete & Pete at the age of just nine.

Her death was confirmed via reps, who released a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

The statement read: "It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away. The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.”

Amongst the messages penned to Trachtenberg, Gossip Girl co-star Blake Lively paid a tribute to her following her death.

Perhaps best known for her role as Georgina Sparks, she starred on the show for four years.

Lively posted to Instagram: "Everything she did, she did 200 percent.

The Gossip Girl actor's death has been confirmed to have been from complications with diabetes (CBS)

"She laughed the fullest at someone’s joke, she faced authority head on when she felt something was wrong, she cared deeply about her work, she was proud to be a part of this community and industry as painful as it could be sometimes, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself.

"Time passes. You take for granted that you get the chance to see an old friend.

"To paraphrase, the real tragedies in life are the ones that blindside you on an idle Tuesday.

"Hold those you love and have loved dear."

Finally, the 37-year-old actor added regarding her former co-star: "The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle.

"May her work and her huge heart be remembered by those who were lucky enough to experience her fire."